ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory
| 0065008: Viral Culture |
| Test Mnemonic: V VIRAL | |
|
Methodology: Cell Culture
Performed: Sun-Sat Reported: 3-14 days |
| Specimen Required: | |
|
Collect: Eye swab, nasopharyngeal aspirate/swab/washing, stool, throat swab, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), tissue, biopsy, lesion, tracheal aspirate, or urine. Source of specimen is required.
Transport: Nasopharyngeal washing/aspirate, urine, stool, or tracheal aspirate in sterile, leak-proof container at 2-8°C. Eye swab, nasopharyngeal swab, throat swab, or tissue in viral transport media at 2-8°C. Place each specimen in a separate, individually sealed bag. Submit specimen according to Biological Substance, Category B, shipping guidelines. Pediatric Collection/Transport: Submit specimen according to Biological Substance, Category B, shipping guidelines. Remarks: Do not freeze. Transfer specimen to transport media as soon as possible after collection. Antigen detection and culture are available for specific viruses. Unacceptable Conditions: Dry swabs, wood swabs, and calcium alginate swabs. Stability: Ambient: 2 hours; Refrigerated: 3 days; Frozen: Unacceptable |
|
| Reference Interval: |
| Negative - No virus isolated. |
| Note: | |
|
The following tests are standard of care for diagnosing viral infection in CSF specimens: Cytomegalovirus by PCR (0060040) Enterovirus Detection by RT-PCR (0050249) Herpes Simplex Virus by PCR (0060041) Varicella-Zoster Virus by PCR (0060042) The viruses that can be isolated include: enteroviruses, herpes simplex virus, influenza A & B, parainfluenza types 1, 2, 3, adenovirus, varicella-zoster virus, cytomegalovirus, and RSV. However, virus specific tests are recommended for varicella-zoster virus, order Varicella-Zoster Virus DFA with Reflex to Varicella-Zoster Virus Culture (0060282); cytomegalovirus, order Cytomegalovirus Culture (0065004); and RSV, order Respiratory Syncytial Virus DFA Stain (0060288). Antigen detection is available for respiratory viruses, order Respiratory Viruses DFA Stain (0060289), and may be requested in conjunction with culture. An ELISA test Rotavirus & Adenovirus 40-41 Antigens (0065067) is available for enteric adenoviruses 40 & 41 and rotavirus in stool specimens. For measles virus culture, order Measles (Rubeola) Virus Culture (0065055). For mumps virus culture, order Mumps Virus Culture (0065056). If a specific virus is suspected, please indicate which virus on the test request. |
| CPT Code(s): | |
| 87252 Tissue culture |